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GHOST RIDERS OF THE MOON, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Ghost Riders of the Moon" by John Ashbery is a reflective and contemplative poem that dwells on the nature of objects and their intrinsic qualities, set against the backdrop of existential musings. The poem opens with a seemingly mundane scene, describing everyday items like a pocket comb, a razor, and a toothbrush. However, Ashbery elevates these common objects to a level of profound contemplation, noting their inherent characteristics and the way they exist independently of human interpretation or utility.

The phrase "dirty as a comb," a French saying, is immediately qualified by the speaker who suggests that this dirtiness is not necessarily spiritual or profound. This sets the tone for the poem, which oscillates between the surface appearances of things and their deeper, more enigmatic qualities. The comparison of the razor to "an alligator stalking a bayadère" is strikingly vivid, transforming a mundane object into something alive and almost threatening.

Ashbery then delves into the theme of existential realization, acknowledging a "crumbling realization that a halt has been called." This halt could refer to a moment of epiphany or a sudden awareness of the stagnation and stillness inherent in life. The reference to stair treads conspiring in this halt and the boiling oil that "just sat there" further enhances the theme of inaction and suspension.

The poet explores the idea of acceptance and resignation, suggesting that there are "no apologies to be made, ever again, no alibis for the articles returned to the store." This resignation is not seen as defeat but rather as a tranquil acknowledgment of the state of things, a "standoff, placid, eternal."

In a shift of focus, Ashbery admires "the coatings of things, without prejudice or innuendo," suggesting a pure appreciation of objects for what they are, beyond any imposed meanings or connotations. The disposal of kernels, or the essence of these objects, is done discreetly, reinforcing the theme of understated existence.

The poem concludes with a notion of endurance and resilience. The objects that have been selected by the speaker's "endurance" are personified as schoolchildren, attentive and orderly. This anthropomorphism underscores the poet's ability to find meaning and narrative in the inanimate, lending them a life and story of their own. The final lines, noting the objects' "indifference to each other and to the circus that houses us all," reflect a broader commentary on the human condition – our coexistence in a chaotic world where each of us, like these objects, possesses a unique indifference and a tendency to "fall apart."

In "Ghost Riders of the Moon," Ashbery presents a meditation on the essence of objects, their independence, and their role in the human experience, weaving these themes into a tapestry of existential contemplation and subtle acceptance.

POEM TEXT: https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1993-12-13/flipbook/110/


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